Apparatus for storing and stacking vehicles

ABSTRACT

This disclosure teaches apparatus for storing and stacking vehicles in parking frames disposed vertically over one another. The vehicles are placed on rollable carriers which are movable in a vertical direction and are capable of being pushed with these carriers horizontally into parking places in the parking frames. Each of the parking frames is provided with a hoisting mechanism and the rollable carriers are guided in their vertical movement over vertical guides fixed to the front of the parking frames.

' ll United States Patent 1191 1111 3,857,500 Goldhofer 1 Dec. 31, 1974 APPARATUS FOR STORING AND 3,155,246 11/1964 Baume 214/161 c1; STACKING VEHICLES FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Al l f r, h nre w g, 1,372,544 8/1964 France 214/16.1 CE

Germany Prima Examiner-Robert J. S ar 3 :T -]PtAtltVd, W P [7 Asslgnee fl z a uz Assistant ExaminerR. B. Johnson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E. Baxley, Esq. [22] Filed: Sept. 5, 1972 21 App1.No.:286,070 ABSTRACT This disclosure teaches apparatus for storing and [52] U S Cl 214/16 1 CE stacking vehicles in parking frames disposed vertically [51] m E04]; 6/06 over one another. The vehicles are placed on rollable [58] Fieid 16 1 CC carriers which are movable in a vertical direction and are capable of being pushed with. these carriers horizontally into parking places in the parking frames. [56] References Cited Each of the parking frames is provided with a hoisting mechanism and the rollable carriers are guided in UNITED STATES PATENTS their vertical movement over vertical guides fixed to 1,584,212 5/1926 Burrell 214/161 CE the from of the parking framea 2,658,632 11/1953 214/161 CE 2,765,932 10/1956 Nielsen 214/161 CE 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2,824,654 2/1958 Baume 2l4/l6.l CE

PATENTED UEC3 1 I974 SHEET 10F 3 PATENTEI] EH13 1 I974 SHEET 2 OF 3 Fig. 2

PATENTEDBEEBI I914 3.857, 500 sum 3 OF 3 APPARATUS FOR STORING AND STACKING VEHICLES For obtaining storage space attempts have been made to stack or store materials and vehicles in a vertical plane. In particular in warehouses for storing of heavy loads and parking buildings several stories are used. A considerable drawback of this storing is, however, limited utilization of space. Due to ascent and descent ramps and due to lifts etc. about 50 percent is lost in the storage space.

An attempt has, therefore, already been made for avoiding ascent and descent ramps, to transport vehicles up by means of a lift and then to bring them to individual compartments.

With this system, however, too much waiting time must be put up with as only so many vehicles can be brought in and out as there are lifts available. Since to some extent considerable distances have to be covered with a lift to the actual compartments and additional auxiliary means provided for the transferring of the vehicle into the compartment, this system is not suitable.

The invention relates to an apparatus for storing and stacking of vehicles or other goods in parking areas in the form of frames disposed vertically above one another whereby the vehicles or the like are placed on rollable carriers movable in a vertical direction and movable with the carriers horizontally into the parking places.

The invention has as its object provision of an apparatus for storing and stacking materials and vehicles which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks, is used individually and can be manufactured with small construction costs.

According to the invention this is achieved in that each parking place is provided with a hoisting mechanism and that the rollable carriers are guided in a vertical movement via vertical guides mounted on the front of the parking places.

The guide rails consist of lower and upper rails which advantageously have a slight inclination towards the loading side of the box frame. Thus it is ensured that the carrying cage rolls on and off under its own power.

On the upper rails are mounted disengageable guide flaps and on the lower rails are mounted removable overrun flaps by means of which the carrying cage is guided to the corresponding box frame from the vertical runways in the guide rails.

On the upper rails there is mounted a rocking lever which after actuation by the running of the carrying cage engages and disengages the guide flaps via a lever and tierod and raises and lowers the overrun flaps. By these measures after the pushing in of the carrying cage into the corresponding box frame the runner rails are again so closed that the carrying cage located thereover upon traveling up and down traverses a smooth pathway.

In the vertical direction the box frames are connected to one another by sleeve and angle-like devices and a locking onto the actual lower box frame is effected.

For the insertion of the box frames in a constructionally solid manner the box frames are also coordinated horizontally with one another by supports and bars. Thus an easy laying of a foundation is rendered possible as the whole structure is thereby self-supporting. In addition the whole structure can thereby also if desired carry the roof of the building.

The main advantages of the invention are in the greater utilization of space which amounts to -9O percent and in a small amount of waiting time. As every box frame with a carrying cage and hoist mechanism represents an independent unit in itself, a greater number of cars can be brought in or taken out simultaneously. The approach paths always remain on the ground and the hoisting speed of the carrying cages is substantially quicker. In addition with the apparatus according to the invention, all hoisting arrangements for arrivals and departures are dispensed with. The carrying cage is lowered directly onto the roadway and the vehicle can be driven away. The empty carrying cage is then immediately available again as a parking area.

A further advantage is to be seen in that the loading cage can be brought to any desired height. This results in a substantial facilitation of the employment of the carrying cages for storing materials as in unloading from trucks the loading cage can be kept at loading surface height or upon unloading from other means of transportation it can likewise be kept at the corresponding loading surface height.

A further advantage of the invention is the application of unitary construction. Due to the fact that every box frame is an independent unit, there is the possibility of adjusting, enlarging or decreasing the size of the storage space according to requirements and also as the case may be changing the storage. The constructional height of the box frame is not limited in principle. The same applies to the measurement in a horizontal direction. The box frames and carrying cages may be produced for different loads.

In a further construction of the invention the guide rails in the box frames do not run exactly parallel to one another but taper to the rear whereby a dead centre of the carrying cage to be drawn in is avoided.

The construction costs for such a storing, parking or garaging building can be considerably reduced by means of the apparatus according to the invention as the box frames can be mass produced and can be erected finally assembled.

With use of the apparatus according to the invention in parking buildings, no arrangements for exhaust gas evacuation are necessary as simple air evacuation gratings (if necessary) suffice. Advantageously two rows of box frames are placed such that loading from one road is possible. The box frames may be controlled centrally electronically or even manually by the individual method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS One embodiment is shown in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a general view of a parking garage;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a box frame with transporting cage; and

FIG. 3 is a section C-D of FIG. 7..

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT On a road 1 a vehicle 2 can either be driven directly into a free carrying cage 3 or the driver withdraws from a box frame 4 a transporting cage 3. The carrying cage 3' which is provided with rollers 5 and is suspended on In FIG. 2 the driving in procedure of the transporting cage 3 is shown. In the box frames 4 guide rails for the carrying cage 3 are mounted which guide rails consist of two upper rails 8 and lower rails 9 mounted on both sides. Two guide flaps 10 of the free box frame 4 which produce the connection with the two vertical running faces 7 (see FIG. 3) and the upper rails 8 are in the disengaged position shown as upper box frame 4. Likewise two run over flaps II are raised and thus release the entrance into the lower rails 9. The guide flaps 10 are connected via the rods 12 and 13 to a rocking lever 14. A rod 15 and a further lever 16 produce the connection of the two overrun flaps II to the corresponding rocking lever 14.

When driving-into the carrying cage 3 the two rocking levers 14 which are located just over the two upper rails 8 are turned down by the runner rollers 5. By means of the rods 12 and Band the two guide flaps 10 are thereby engaged and by means of the bar 15 and the rocking lever 16 the overrun flaps 11 are lowered, smooth paths are thus produced on the runways 7. This position on one rocking lever 14' is shown in the lower box frame 4' in FIG. 2. Upon rolling off of the carrying cage 3 the two rocking levers are again thrown and the guide flaps l and the overrun flaps 11 are thereby again disengaged and raised. The upper rails 8 and the lower rails 9 are provided at their ends with spring buffers 17 which give the carrying cage 3 a back pressure so that it rolls under its own power onto the guide rails pointing slightly downwards.

The manner of operation of parts 10-16 relates to unlocking and locking mechanisms for vertical and horizontal guides upon entering and removing the carrier. Upon entry of the carrier into the parking place 4 as shown in FIG. 2 of the invention, the rollers of the carrier 3 pass from the vertical guide 7 of the elevator shaft into the horizontal guides 8, 9 of the parking place. At the parking place 4, the entry flap is thereby opened, it blocking the further vertical guide 7 and releasing the path to the horizontal guide 8 of the parking place. At the same time, the lower horizontal guide of the parking place 4 of the lower rail 9 is released by the raised passover flap 11. If the carrier 3 enters the parking place, its upper edge strikes against the rocker lever 14 which is thereby actuated and, via the lever mechanism 13, 15, 16, at the same time closes the introduction flap l0 and the passover flap 11. Upon the moving of the carrier 3 out of the parking place, the rocker arm 14 (and 14') is again actuated automatically by the movement of the carrier, as a result of which the flaps 10 and 11 open. Rods 28 constitute vertical bars which serve to delimit the dimensions of the carrier and facilitate travel into the carrier. The bars 28 are made reversible, and possibly self aligning.

The hoisting mechanism is mounted on the floor of the box frame. It consists of two cable rollers 18 which are connected via a gear 19 to a driving motor 20. The running speed and if necessary also the forward and return running is determined by the gear 19. The connection between the cable rollers 18 and the gear 19 is effected via V-belts 21. A connection via chains on cardan shafts or gear wheels is however likewise possible. The hoisting cable 6 is guided over guide rollers 22 and 23.

For the mounting of the box frames 4 over one another, sleeves 24 are fixed to the underside whereby a locking on the lower box frame can be effected. Then both box frames are screwed. The individual rows of box frames are supported horizontally to one another by means of rods 25. Thereby an easy forming of a foundation is achieved as the whole structure is supported.

The runner rollers 5 of the carrying cage 3 consist of steel, synthetic material or rubber whereby if desired a quiet, noiseless running can be effected. With the use of the carrying cage as a parking area this latter is provided with an upper cover so that the vehicles thereunder are not soiled. The floor of the carrying cage 3 is formed as a grating 27 and provided with several vertical rods 28 whereby an accurate parking is possible. As the rods 28 are made capable of being turned down these may upon driving the vehicle out be simply driven over.

The box frames 4 and the carrying cages 3 may be made of steel, light metal, concrete or in a mixed building practically of all construction materials usual in the trade.

In employing the apparatus according to the invention for the storing of materials the carrying cages may be provided according to the actual use suitably with trays, racks or the like.

With the use of the apparatus according to the invention as parking garages the vehicles parked can easily be secured against theft. By means of locking devices such as, for example, by operation only with a suitable key the parked vehicle can be prevented from being taken away unauthorized from the box frame.

Accident damages are excluded due to other vehicles and, due to the separate storing in the box frames.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for storing and stacking vehicles or other goods comprising: a plurality of superimposed box frames having a front side, each of said box frames being of a size to receive a cage therein, vertical guide means fixed to said front side, a plurality of cages with rollers thereon movable in said guide means, a hoisting mechanism mounted in each of said box frame, means connecting a respective hoist mechanism to a respective one of said cages, vertically spaced guide rails mounted in each of said box frames, said vertically spaced guide rails being slightly inclined toward the front side of said box frame, the respective ends of said vertically spaced guide rails located most remotely relative to said front side being closer together than the respective ends ot said vertically spaced guide rails adjacent the front side of said box frames, movable roller engaging flap means mounted on each of said vertically spaced guide rails, lever means connecting said flap means, and lever means operated by the rollers on said cages to selectively guide said cages into and out of a respective one of said box frames relative to said vertical guide means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including spring buffers are fixed to one end of the vertically spaced guide rails. 

1. Apparatus for storing and stacking vehicles or other goods comprising: a plurality of superimposed box frames having a front side, each of said box frames being of a size to receive a cage therein, vertical guide means fixed to said front side, a plurality of cages with rollers thereon movable in said guide means, a hoisting mechanism mounted in each of said box frame, means connecting a respective hoist mechanism to a respective one of said cages, vertically spaced guide rails mounted in each of said box frames, said vertically spaced guide rails being slightly inclined toward the front side of said box frame, the respective ends of said vertically spaced guide rails located most remotely relative to said front side being closer together than the respective ends ot said vertically spaced guide rails adjacent the front side of said box frames, movable roller engaging flap means mounted on each of said vertically spaced guide rails, lever means connecting said flap means, and lever means operated by the rollers on said cages to selectively guide said cages into and out of a respective one of said box frames relative to said vertical guide means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including spring buffers are fixed to one end of the vertically spaced guide rails. 